Wildlife TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham has resigned as president of the RSPCA after an investigation made allegations of animal cruelty at some of the charity’s approved abattoirs. Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has also resigned as vice-president of the animal welfare organisation, with both of them expressing their “sadness” over leaving the roles. It comes after an Animal Rising investigation made claims of cruelty at “RSPCA Assured” slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, with the campaign group sharing footage of alleged mistreatment. RSPCA Assured is a scheme whereby approved farms must comply with the organisation’s “stringent higher welfare standards”, according to its website. Mr Packham shared the news of his resignation on social media, saying: “It is with enormous sadness that I have resigned from my role as president of the RSPCA. “I would like to register my respect and admiration for all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty.” Ms Lucas said she and Mr Packham failed to get the charity’s leadership to act. She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “With huge sadness I’m resigning as VP of the RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. “But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. “I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed.” In June, the RSPCA commissioned an independent review of 200 farms on its assurance scheme which concluded the scheme was “operating effectively” to assure animal welfare on member farms. Following Animal Rising’s release of footage last week, the charity said it was “appalled” by what was shown, adding that it launched an immediate investigation and suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme. In the wake of Mr Packham and Ms Lucas’ resignations, an RSPCA spokesperson said it is “simply not true” that the organisation has failed to take urgent action. They said: “We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals, but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare. “We have discussed our work to drive up farmed animal welfare standards openly at length with them on many occasions and it is simply not true that we have not taken urgent action. “We took allegations of poor welfare incredibly seriously, launching an independent review of 200 farms which concluded that it was ‘operating effectively’ to improve animal welfare. “We are taking strong steps to improve oversight of welfare, implementing the recommendations in full including significantly increasing unannounced visits, and exploring technology such as body-worn cameras and CCTV, supported by £2 million of investment.” The charity insisted that while 94% of people continue to choose to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy, it is the “right thing to do” to work with farmers to improve the lives of animals. “RSPCA Assured visit all farms on the scheme every year, but last year just 3% of farms were assessed for animal welfare by state bodies,” the spokesperson continued. “No-one else is doing this work. We are the only organisation setting and regularly monitoring animal welfare standards on farms. “We have pioneered change through RSPCA Assured, which has led to improvements throughout the industry including CCTV in slaughterhouses, banning barren battery cages for hens and sow stalls for pigs, giving salmon more space to swim and developing slower growing chicken breeds who have better quality of life.”StockNews.com lowered shares of BlackBerry ( NYSE:BB – Free Report ) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Wednesday. A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. CIBC raised their target price on shares of BlackBerry from $3.50 to $3.60 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on BlackBerry from $2.70 to $2.80 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $3.00 target price on shares of BlackBerry in a research note on Friday, September 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $3.23. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BB BlackBerry Trading Up 1.3 % BlackBerry ( NYSE:BB – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 26th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $145.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $138.82 million. BlackBerry had a negative return on equity of 3.38% and a negative net margin of 21.66%. The company’s revenue was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.06) EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that BlackBerry will post -0.06 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at BlackBerry In other BlackBerry news, insider Philip S. Kurtz sold 15,005 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Saturday, September 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.53, for a total transaction of $37,962.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,129 shares in the company, valued at $76,226.37. The trade was a 33.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BB. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in BlackBerry by 83.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 11,769 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 5,349 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackBerry by 2.9% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 267,073 shares of the company’s stock valued at $706,000 after acquiring an additional 7,652 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of BlackBerry by 60.7% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 20,769 shares of the company’s stock worth $540,000 after acquiring an additional 7,842 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackBerry by 65.5% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 22,898 shares of the company’s stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 9,063 shares during the period. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its position in BlackBerry by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 130,665 shares of the company’s stock valued at $327,000 after purchasing an additional 9,156 shares during the last quarter. 54.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About BlackBerry ( Get Free Report ) BlackBerry Limited provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Cybersecurity, IoT, and Licensing and Other. The company offers CylanceENDPOINT, an integrated endpoint security solution; CylanceGUARD, a managed detection and response solution; CylanceEDGE, an AI-powered continuous authentication zero trust network access solution; CylanceINTELLIGENCE, a contextual cyber threat intelligence service; BlackBerry Dynamics offers a development platform and secure container for mobile applications; BlackBerry Workspaces a secure Enterprise File Sync and Share (EFSS) solution; BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Enterprise, an enterprise-grade secure instant messaging solution for messaging, voice and video; BlackBerry SecuSUITE is a certified, multi-OS voice and text messaging solution; BlackBerry AtHoc, a secure networked critical event management solution; and BlackBerry unified endpoint management (UEM) solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackBerry Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackBerry and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .TN govt will give more incentives for establishing industries in B&C category districts: Minister
Applied Materials Stock Drops in Another Blow to Semis. Why This Analyst Turned Bearish.Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary international airport serving the Miami metropolitan area with over 1,000 daily flights to nearly 175 destinations worldwide. Located in Miami-Dade County, the airport reached unprecedented records last year, in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. The airport served over 52.3 million passengers in 2023, an impressive 3.2% increase over the previous year. The Modernization In Action (M.I.A) plan The airport is working to modernize its facilities as part of the Modernization in Action (M.I.A) plan. Various touchpoints along the passenger’s journey through the airport, including passenger jet bridges, escalators and walkways, as well as public-use restrooms, will be renovated over the next few years. The $9-billion plan will be carried out in multiple phases. With the comprehensive modernization plan, the airport aims to be “future ready” to cater to ever-growing passenger numbers in the coming decades. Miami International Airport’s statistics MIA's rank among fastest-growing U.S. airports: 1st Daily people traffic at MIA: 190,000 passengers and employees Number of passengers served in 2023: 52.3 million Number of passenger loading bridges at MIA: 126 Number of escalators at MIA: 206 Number of moving parts in an escalator: 12,000 Number of elevators at MIA: 312 Number of moving walkways at MIA: 98 Number of public access restrooms at MIA: 203 The airport has a robust maintenance service record where less than 10% of any operating system (elevators, escalators, and moving walkways) is down for maintenance on an average day. However, the airport authorities still consider that a disruption to passengers and causing inconvenience to travelers. Other projects include expansion of the parking garages, new roofs, expansion of space at various points throughout the terminals and the gates. The airport started out as Pan American Field. According to the Miami Airport, “Under the leadership and guidance of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, we are working diligently and ask that airport patrons please pardon our progress while we get MIA Future-Ready to keep you connected with more than 170 destinations across the world.” “We appreciate your patience while the M.I.A. Plan makes traveling through MIA easier than ever before.” Passenger growth at MIA drives the modernization plan Miami International Airport has seen a tremendous recovery and growth during the post-pandemic recovery stage, with passenger numbers increasing every coming year. While there may be a potential for a new airport, the MIA authorities along with the Mayor’s office are exploring every potential location for an upgrade or expansion. The County continues to examine current capacity and future numbers. Meanwhile, the MIA modernization plan is well underway. According to Kevin Marino Cabrera, as recorded by Miami Today , “...We’re 10% already up over last year’s numbers, so clearly we’re growing year over year significantly, so we want to make sure that we’re being forward thinking,” The airport is already preparing for what to expect towards the end of the decade and in the 2030s. Passenger numbers have been gradually, but surely, increasing for the last few years. The Director and Chief Executive Officer of Miami International Airport, Ralph Cutié, showed his excitement about the continuous passenger growth the airport is seeing by stating, “We find three straight years of record-making passenger growth, We had 50.7 million passengers back in 2022, 52.3 million in 2023, and we’re currently trending 9% growth over last year’s, which puts us at around 57 million by the end of this year.” Many lounges are not just reserved for travelers in premium cabins. The modernization plan will continue for the next five to 15 years, making it one of the most comprehensive airport upgrade plans in the United States. The airport is preparing for a projected growth in passenger and cargo traffic at MIA. The passenger numbers are expected to reach 77 million and over four million tons of freight activity by 2040. This is an over 32% increase in passenger traffic over last year. Specifics of the modernization plan A mega project is underway to upgrade or replace a majority of conveyances at the airport, including elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. In order to prioritize the needs of differently abled individuals and groups, the work on elevators will be done in the first phase of the modernization plan. According to the MIA, “To keep MIA accessible for those using wheelchairs, elevators have been prioritized for modernization and eight elevator units have already been completed. So far, 32 units have been upgraded, and another 38 units are under contract to begin the modernization process in 2023 and 2024.” A 40-step escalator system comprises over 12,000 moving parts, making the upgrade program significantly challenging and time-consuming. A precise fabrication and replacement of components for a complete modernization requires anywhere between 16 and 20 weeks, depending on the complexity of the job. Miami International Airport is expecting an average of 162,000 passengers daily from December 21 to January 6. Continued supply chain issues have only added to the complexity and timeline of the project, causing work stops at multiple phases throughout the project phase. A recent report from the MIA Modernization in Action plan states, “As we install new and rebuilt devices, we have found it difficult to obtain parts because of continued supply chain delays. It is taking as long as eight months to receive parts. In addition, some of our devices are obsolete and parts literally are built from scratch. Additionally, routine maintenance and inspections are required, which further reduces the number of units in service. The remaining units will be in some stage of modernization within the next seven years.” Renovation of public use bathrooms Phase 1: Renovation of 10 public restrooms in Concourse H. Phase I was completed in Winter 2023. Phase 2: Renovation of 22 restrooms in Concourse D, 12 restrooms in Concourses E, F, and G, and 16 public restrooms in Concourses H and J. Phase II is scheduled for completion by Fall 2026. Phase 3: Renovation of the remaining bathrooms across the MIA terminal. Phase III is scheduled for completion in multiple stages by 2030. The public restroom renovation plan includes 195 public access restrooms on all three levels of the airport terminal and concourses. The airport authorities state that as of August, a total of 44 restrooms have already been renovated. From interior demolition to new partition walls, ceilings, furnishings, and fixtures, everything has been upgraded. As part of the modernization plan, the bathrooms feature a sustainable design with improved accessibility, touchless fixtures, and energy-efficient products. The Skytrain service at Concourse D was out since September 2023. Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBB) The refurbishment and replacement of all of MIA’s 126 passenger boarding bridges is being done. As a first impression for passengers who enter the jet bridge right after deboarding a plane, the authorities aim to modernize the design and look of the PBBs. Additionally, the fabrication and installation of pre-conditioned air units, baggage chutes, ground support equipment, and communication equipment of the boarding bridges will also be upgraded. Other projects underway at MIA Parking Guidance System The automated parking system with cameras and sensors. Indication of vacant and occupied parking space in the garage. 16 “Pay-On-Foot” Systems will be installed throughout the Dolphin and Flamingo parking garages. Exit Terminals for automated parking payments Establishment of a loyalty program for frequent parkers Perimeter Fence Security enhancement 18” diameter stainless steel razor wire coil assemblies on top of the existing 10.95-mile-long perimeter fence, with “V” type connectors and six new lines of barbed wire. A $6.2 million security project funded by TSA, adding advanced technologies to detect unauthorized movement along the fence line. Digital Signage at D-60 gates Installation of 13 new digital displays in Concourse D, post-security, at D-60 gates. Gate numbers, destinations, and flight numbers will be displayed. Increases operational efficiency when information needs to be updated. The Star Alliance carrier serves seven destinations from Miami International Airport and has been partnering with the NFL team for over a year.
After 51 years, PA state police put a name to remains of teen found in northern Lebanon CountyKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet attends 'Eric Stonestreet visits The SiriusXM Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles' at SiriusXM Studios on Oct. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM/TNS) Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Donna Kelce, left, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce watched the game with pop superstar Taylor Swift, center, during the first-half on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS) Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.None
Earlier this year, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government faced a crisis in Jharkhand as its leader, Hemant Soren, stepped down from the chief minister’s post and was jailed on corruption charges. But by Saturday evening, as counting for the state assembly election headed to a close, the JMM seemed to have bounced back. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance government that the JMM leads in Jharkhand looked set to return for a second term in power, with an even larger mandate. As of 7 pm, the JMM had won 29 of the total 81 seats in the assembly and was leading in five seats. Of its INDIA alliance parthers, the Indian National Congress had won 15 seats and was leading in one. The Rashtriya Janata Dal had won four seats, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) had won two seats. It looked set to win at least 56 seats, up from 47 in the 2019 election. Meanwhile, of the National Democratic Alliance partners, the Bharatiya Janata Party had won 19 seats and was leading in two seats. The All Jharkhand Students Union Party had won one seat as had the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Jairam Mahato, a candidate who had emerged as a crowd favourite, was victorious in the Dumri constituency. He was the sole winner from the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha. Political observers predicted that the election would be closely fought. However, the JMM-led coalition government seems to have strategically navigated its crises and pushed a number of welfare schemes to win over voters and secure a comfortable majority. Here are eight factors that stood out on the ground. 1. Soren’s imprisonment was an affront to Adivasi pride Chief Minister Hemant Soren was imprisoned in January on charges that he had fraudulently acquired land and got bail only five months later. The party soon made the matter a poll issue . It presented the Adivasi chief minister’s imprisonment as an affront to the pride of the Adivasis, who form 26.21% of the state’s population and are a significant vote bank for the JMM. Political analysts believe this is also what led the BJP to lose all five seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. (The state has a total of 14 Lok Sabha seats.) 2. Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for women The JMM-led government focused heavily on a number of welfare schemes. Its flagship scheme was the Maiya Samman Yojana, launched in August. It gives Rs 1,000 per month to women between the ages of 21 and 50. In October, to counter this scheme, the BJP had announced that it would launch the Gogo Didi scheme if it came to power, and promised Rs 2,100 to all women in the state. The JMM was quick to counter this move and pledged to raise the amount to Rs 2,500 from December if it returned to power. 3. Improvement of pension scheme In 2019, the JMM-led government introduced reforms to the Central government’s pension scheme, the National Social Assistance Programme, which had been underfunded for years. The Centre’s pension amounts ranged between Rs 200 and Rs 500 for three categories – old age pension, widow pension and disability pension. The Jharkhand government increased this amount to a uniform Rs 1,000, and created five categories of pension schemes – old age pension, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group pension, destitute women pension, HIV-AIDS patient pension and disability pension. It also expanded the scheme’s reach from 6 lakh people in 2019 to 40 lakh people by 2024. 4. Electricity bills waiver Another welfare policy that won the approval of voters, especially the rural poor, was the state government’s decision to waive electricity bills for low-income consumers who do not pay income tax. In August, the state government decided to waive bills amounting to Rs 3,584 crore for around 39.44 lakh consumers who are enrolled in its 200-unit free electricity scheme . 5. State housing scheme Despite the existence of the Central government’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide subsidised housing for low-income citizens, around 8 lakh eligible beneficiaries in the state did not avail of the scheme . In October 2023, the JMM-led government launched the Abua Awas Yojna to reach these residents. While the Central government scheme pays up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the construction of a two-room house with a kitchen, the Jharkhand government’s scheme provides Rs 2 lakh for a three-room house with a kitchen. 6. No clear BJP CM face Political analysts note that while senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, campaigned for the party in the state, there was a lack of clarity about who would occupy the chief minister’s post if the party won. One contender was former chief minister Babulal Marandi, the BJP’s state president. Another was former chief minister Champai Soren, who defected from the JMM earlier this year. Both these leaders are Adivasi, and thus declaring either as the chief ministerial candidate would have been in line with the state’s broad history – six of its seven chief ministers have been Adivasi. However, in 2014, the BJP had appointed Raghubar Das, a non-Adivasi, as the state’s chief minister, a move that political observers believe played a role in their loss in the 2019 election. The absence of a chief ministerial candidate allowed speculation to grow about whom the party might appoint if it won. By contrast, for the JMM-led alliance, the incumbent chief minister Hemant Soren was the unambiguous choice to continue in the job. 7. Over-reliance on non-Jharkhandi leaders The BJP’s election campaign was dominated by national-level leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah and union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and JP Nadda. Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also a prominent face at rallies. This meant that Jharkhandi leaders such as Babulal Marandi, Champai Soren and Sita Soren remained in the background. This strategy is believed to have alienated Jharkhandi voters who, in assembly elections, are primarily concerned with state leaders. 8. BJP’s infiltrator narrative failed The BJP’s key focus this election was on the infiltrator narrative – party leaders alleged that Bangladeshi Muslims had infiltrated Jharkhand’s Santal Pargana division, married Adivasi women, grabbed land and altered the region’s demography and cultural identity. However, this narrative did not seem to gain much traction. Earlier this year, Scroll travelled to Santal Pargana and found that in at least 10 instances, the BJP’s claims of Muslims marrying Advasi women to claim land did not stand scrutiny. Later, in our election coverage, we found that Adivasi voters were more concerned with civic issues than the threat of infiltrators. The JMM was quick to respond to the allegations by noting that Jharkhand did not share borders with Bangladesh and that the Central home ministry headed by Amit Shah was responsible for preventing illegal migration into the country.
U.S. Soccer Legend Tim Howard Rips 'Stupid' Athletes For Trump Dance Celebration
The Bookworm: Little Kids Will Enjoy These Holiday BooksGordon Brown declares opposition to assisted dying law
First Published: 23rd November, 2024 20:37 IST Sarma’s victory marks a pivotal shift in Samaguri’s political landscape and could signal the end of Congress’s dominance in this constituency. It was a big setback for the Congress in Assam. Known to be the party’s stronghold and a Hussain family bastion, the Samaguri Assembly seat was conquered today by first time contestant Diplu Ranjan Sarma of the BJP as he snatched the seat from Tanzil Hussain, also a first timer but a third generation politician of the Hussain family of the Congress with a margin of 22,833 votes. The Hussains have been winning the Samaguri seat since 1981 when Tanzil’s grandfather Nurul Hussain won the seat for the first time as a Congress candidate. He won the seat again in 1991. After that, Nurul Hussain’s son and Tanzil’s father Rakibul Hussain won the seat 5 times in 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. Samaguri was among the last few Congress strongholds in Assam. For Tanzil Hussain, this was more than just a contest for the seat. It was an attempt to carry forward the political legacy of his father and grandfather. But despite his best efforts, the young Congress candidate, who was making his electoral debut, fell short against the BJP’s momentum in the region. Sarma’s victory marks a pivotal shift in Samaguri’s political landscape and could signal the end of Congress’s dominance in this constituency. By-poll in the seat was necessitated after Rakibul Hussain was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Dhubri with 14,71,885 votes defeating sitting MP Badruddin Ajmal of AIUDF who got 4,59,409 votes. Also read: Assam Bypoll Results: NDA Sweeps 5 Seats, Heartbreak for Cong as its Samaguri Fort Falls COMMENTS Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website